Editor’s note: Davinder Kumar is an award-winning development journalist and a Chevening Human Rights Scholar. He works for children's rights organization Plan International. On October 11, International Day of the Girl, Plan International launches its global campaign "Because I am a Girl," dedicated to improving girls' education. The girls' names have been changed to protect their identities.

By Davinder Kumar, Special to CNN

Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India - As evening falls, the girls get restless. Huddled in a group, some go very quiet, while others become agitated. The large hall of residence fills with an atmosphere of fear and anxiety.

One of the girls breaks down as she recounts her experience at the Hyderabad brothel she was rescued from just a few days ago: For two weeks she says she was kept sedated and offered to clients in a comatose state before she was allowed a meal.

As the horrific details of her ordeal unfold, the room collapses into turmoil. Overcome with emotion, 14-year-old Jyothi is wheezing and struggling to draw her breath because she’s crying so hard;16-year-old Kavya is also inconsolable; Vijayalaxmi is banging her head on the wall, and other girls are shaking, swaying back and forth. All are crying. One account triggers another. Some mutter to themselves while others jostle to be heard.

The scenes at this transit home for girls in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India, are harrowing. Girls as young as 13 are brought here for temporary refuge after they have been rescued from sex traffickers and brothels in big cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai. Each has suffered varying degrees of abuse, torture, slavery and inhumane treatment.

The home, already packed to capacity, sees a new arrival every few days as the state battles to tackle large-scale child sex trafficking.

Andhra Pradesh accounts for nearly half of all sex trafficking cases in India, the majority involving adolescent girls. According to police estimates, a shocking 300,000 women and girls have been trafficked for exploitative sex work from Andhra Pradesh; of these just 3,000 have been rescued so far.

The state is relatively prosperous, ranking fourth in terms of per capita GDP in India, but it is also home to some of the poorest people in the country.

Organized sex trafficking is so entrenched that traffickers have penetrated the remotest villages, preying on vulnerable young girls from impoverished households and pushing them into sex work and slavery across the country. Promises of marriage, employment and even food are used to lure girls from their homes, only for them to find themselves forced into the sex trade.

Sunitha was befriended by her next-door neighbor, who promised her a better job in Hyderabad. She was sold to a handler who sold her to a brothel in the city. Sunitha says she was forced to have sex in return for coupons: Only after she had served 250 clients was she allowed to redeem her coupons for an adequate meal.

The nature of some of the sexual assaults carried out on girls is so graphic that the details are unsuitable to print. It is not surprising that when rescued girls are referred to the transit home their minds and bodies are in deep trauma.

"Some take days, some take even months before they speak out," says Ramamohan NVS of HELP, a local NGO that runs the transit home. "We have situations where girls saved from brothels rip their clothes off at night and demand sex and alcohol."

For some, the trauma is so severe that the impact on their mental health is irreversible: Lakshmi has not spoken a word since she arrived, weeks ago, workers at the home say. She cowers at the sight of strangers and has regressed to using the mannerisms of someone much younger.

In 2005, India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) estimated that 44,000 children go missing in the country every year. Of these,11,000 are never traced. A 1998 report noted that children constituted more than 40% of those trafficked into sexual exploitation in the country.

Sudha, just 16, the mother of a three-year-old, and is being treated for an STI. She says she was forced into prostitution by her husband, in order to repay the debt he owed a relative - he had borrowed money to buy a new motorbike. "He will only have me back if I continue to earn money for him by selling sex," she says.

The overwhelming majority of girls pushed into exploitative sex work come from rural pockets of India hit by extreme poverty. Social structures and deep-rooted gender bias mean they are the poorest, most disadvantaged people even within their own communities. Girls usually drop out of school long before their brothers; they are assigned household chores and often look after their siblings while their parents go out to work.

In many cases, girls are simply abandoned to the care of neighbors by migrant parents who leave for seasonal work in the cities. Barely seven, Sravani was found wandering on the streets of a local town without food or water after her parents abandoned her and set off for Hyderabad to find work. She is now in a shelter.

"It is not just poverty, but an overall neglect and discrimination of girls that makes them most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse," says Bhavani SV of Plan India.

The charity is supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of rescued girls in transit homes. They are encouraged to continue their education and are offered training to secure decent employment or set up their own business.

In the baking unit at Prakasam's transit home, recent arrivals Meena and Vasanthi prepare dough for buns under the watchful eyes of supervisor Raji. The trainees sneak a smile as they pull hot loaves of bread out of the oven.

"Our bread is already very popular in the nearby villages," says Meena. "I hope one day I will get job in a large bakery in town."

Yards away, a crash course in beauty treatment is in progress. A trainer is holding an eager audience to rapt attention as she demonstrates the basics of make-up. There is much discussion over choices of eye-shadow and shades of lip gloss.

For a few moments, the girls can forget their circumstances, and revert to being playful youngsters. Some are hopeful it could mean a new life. "I want to be a beautician. This is my favorite course," says Bajiyamma.

Vijayalaxmi, however, is struggling. Her moods swing from optimism to despair. Aged about 20, she is among the eldest in the group, and is and also most afraid for her future. Vijayalaxmi has spent over a year at the transit home and is still waiting for her family to accept her back. "I have given up all hopes," she says.

Vijayalaxmi's fears reflect a grim reality: The majority of girls rescued from sex work are never accepted by their families and communities. Even the few who are reclaimed face stigma and prejudice which make it almost impossible for them to regain a normal life. The girls suffer from a total loss of self-esteem. Most are consumed with guilt for living an 'immoral' life as sex worker in a society governed by traditional sanctions and customs.

Often unwanted and unwelcome, victims find themselves trapped in life-long destitution and slavery. Sometimes the only option is to return to their traffickers. Nearly eight out of 10 victims are forced back on to the streets and into brothels after being rehabilitated, according to Andhra Pradesh police.

Meanwhile, their traffickers go mostly unpunished, keeping up a thriving sex trade. Although hundreds of girls are rescued from brothels every year, police say the conviction rate of perpetrators under the national Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act is low.

This leaves many sex workers helpless and lonely, and for the most there is no way to break the cycle. Most do not even exist on official records, leaving them without identity papers and excluding them from the little welfare support the state can afford, such as discounted food rations.

Sujatha sells sex on the street to survive. She is illiterate, HIV positive and lives with her nine-year-old daughter on the outskirts of Rajahmundry. When she went to the local government office to apply for a ration card she was refused on the grounds that she did not have a permanent address. “I was told that I could earn more with extra hours of sex work and didn’t really need subsidized rations,” she says.

Kandula Durgesh, Andhra Pradesh’s state legislative council member, agrees there is a long way to go before the sex workers are able to access basic entitlements guaranteed by welfare schemes. “Sensitization should start from legislature, policy and administrative levels,” he says.

The rehabilitation support for sex workers is virtually non-existent and most are either unable to access it or have rejoined the sex trade by the time any support becomes available.

Only sex workers with HIV/AIDS like Sujatha are entitled to a monthly financial support of less than $4 provided by the state government. But even those who qualify rarely get it.

Challenges like these make the task of organizations like Plan International and its partner grassroot NGOs extremely challenging.

“Our efforts are aimed at not just rehabilitating rescued girls but also at preventing children being forced into sex work through trafficking. We cannot win this battle unless government, civil society and communities are actively mobilized to tackle this inhuman trade,” says Bhavani.

At the transit home in Prakasam, darkness has set in, a discomforting and silent evening replacing the emotionally charged afternoon. Jyothi has developed a fever and is being nursed by two girls as she lies on a floor mat. A few others sit motionless with their backs to the wall.

Vijayalaxmi is still on edge. Tears rolling down her face, she keeps repeating: "I want to go home." Her parents have again refused to take her back.

soundoff(295 Responses)

Raj

I thank CNN for bringing these stories to light. In India the media trapped in its urban offices ignore the brutality that surrounds them focusing instead on political battles that go on constantly. NGOs like HELP deserve more recognition from domestic news organizations if such dire issues of human tragedy are to be addressed. Unfortunately in a country like India it is far too easy to become jaded.

I completely agree with Raj. An outstanding NGO, the Talia Agler Girls' Shelter in Nairobi is committed to helping rehabilitate, and if possible, reunify, trafficked girls with their families. It has been vetted and accepted by Global Giving, through which contributions can be made. It definitely deserves attention from global media.

This great idea, but I fear it will have limited results. WHY? I do not see onemiddle story here how Indians, explot other Indains and trick them to go to Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman and other middle east countries as slaves. Kuwait, Saudi, and UAE should all be band from the World Trade as they so proud of there slavery you can read amost daily in papers where a group Indians complaining they not been paid in months. What happens most the time they send back home and another group are trick to come work in Saudi, Kuwait, UAE for nothing but room and board and go home penniless. Also in Kuwait, Saudi and UAE the government will pay for maids so these arabs go to third world countires and get as many as they can bring them back to Saudi, Kuwait, UAE get paid ( some have got as many 20 or more they get money form the governement) since they only need a couple of maids they keep the passport of the poor girls and kick them out and the girls have no income so they either have to prositute themselves, which very dangerous as almost dialy you alos read in the papers of Saudi, Kuwait and UAE where girl found rape and kill and throw to the desert. If there any doubt this not happening just go Saudi, Kuwait, UAE and the India, Pakistan, Philphines, Thai, Malaysia, Indonesia embassies are all full of girls trying to get back home. I will guarantee CNN Freedom Project will do NOTHING to help these girls or the thousand of slaves in Kuwait, Saudi, and UAE. Why cause the Saudi, Kuwait, UAE will throw some money CNN way and tell that there no slaves or girls being rape and killed in Saudi, Kuwait, UAE and CNN will NEVER report on it. Here another FACT more food eaten and booze is drank in the middle east during RAMADAN than any other month. Unitl the world forces all countires to separate state and relgion force all countries to have minimum wage, or be band from the World Trade there will always be slavery and rape in the Middle East.

A paki pretending to be a American. One thing he forgot they call them CABs over here.

October 31, 2012 at 11:08 am |

Brian Victor

Raj & Mindy,

Thank you thank you thank you for being some of the few people I have ever seen in the comments forums (of any news site I have read) to advocate that people support a specific org. We need more people to advocate useful courses of action and contributing to reputable orgs is one of the most effective ways we can help. I happen to support Hagar International (18 years doing shelter work) based out of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

STFU jerk!!! if you cant do anything good for people who suffer then dont even open your filthy mouth. My middle finger salutes you!!!

October 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm |

ensanse

Go read the papers dear, this stuff happens even in the US of A. where girls are procured from central America and made to work all day servicing customers. And this is in New York the pimps hand out chiquita cards to solicit customers.

October 31, 2012 at 11:11 am |

EQ8rhomes

@leo: It's not just in India. I's in EVERY COUNTRY! What do you think "white slavery" means? How about "human trafficking" all over the world?

November 11, 2012 at 11:11 pm |

Bill

For a country where according to the UN over half the population defecates in the open what do you expect.

IS PAINFUL I AM WEEPING FOR THIS INNOCENT LITTLE GIRSL. THIS WICKEDNESS TO WOMANHOOS AM REALLY REALLY SORRY FOR THEM I PREACH THAT THE NGO AND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SHOULD BENT IN WIPING OFF THIS STUPID ACT IN THE LAND IT IS A TABOO.

December 6, 2012 at 9:14 am |

No need

These are heart breaking stories from India. I totally believe that such abuses are wide spread in India. Unfortunately, both people and politician, one while struggle with daily corruption and other bent upon filling their pockets, have no interest in securing women in India. Gone are those days where women are treated as pillor of society.

I wish these women would get angry and say 'To hell with my family, to hell with men!" and get together (with help from a professional) and form their own companies. They need to get in touch with their anger and realize the power they do have, regardless of what 'society' tells them. They need a psychological makeover so that they don't feel at the mercy of others. To have to go back to the streets to make a living is outrageous. They certainly cannot depend on the government so they must start their own businesses and I am sure there are business men and women who could help them get started. They need someone to educate them first on their worth! If they feel powerless, they WILL be powerless. They need a motivational speaker to infuse them with a sense of anger (instead of helplessness) and POWER as women! Their lives are not ruined, they are NOT damaged goods: they are beautiful women with power to change their future.

My heart breaks for these girls and boys. Their families won't take them back. Life on the street is painful. I don't know what gets me more angry. The fact that these kids didn't have a choice or that their families do and still won't take them back.

in most 3rd world, the politicians and their families are extremely corrupt. they feel totally free to help themselves to the natinal treasuries as they please. there are no consequence to such loot of taxpayers' money. the result is they spend all that loot on their two bit selves in supreme luxury and foreign tours while the common people toil in extreme poverty. in india, the natino discussed here, for example, its top politician, mrs. sonia gandhi, reportedly spent over billion dollars billed as her medical expnsese in new york hospital. she does not have to account for that money. now, imagine how many these exploited young girls mentioned in this article can be saved from such wretched fate?

Over a billion dollars for medical treatment in a NY hospital? Are you sure about the number? I know Sonia spent a month or so for treatment. Don't know any treatment costs so much.

October 11, 2012 at 4:36 am |

Alyssa

Perhaps that's a billion rupees? That's about $1.9M. Still sounds way too high for medical treatment over the course of a month.

October 11, 2012 at 8:02 am |

Marathigal

I agree with Southernwonder. Corruption in India is all pervasive, from top to bottom and from right to left. It is a root cause of all sufferings and miseries of general population. I blame the government, the education system, media, and entertainment industry which promotes an unrealistic, fake and superficial aspects of the society and life, and ignores the fundamental rights to have basic things like clean water, food, shelter, sanitation, health and education. Politicians and self claimed leaders are so out of touch and insensitive. Looters are leaders in India and and enjoy all privileges. Honest, committed organizations and groups are frustrated and have lost their hope of making things right. Thank you for this article. I am deeply saddened by these young victims, who otherwise could have become a strong workforce in any industry, if there would have been a sane governing system and philosophy in place in the world's largest so called "democracy".

October 11, 2012 at 8:12 am |

BS

I hate to break it to you, but governments (assuming they were elected by a popular vote) tend to mirror their populations. It's not as if these are countries full of kind, selfless people who happen to be ruled by the only corrupt people in the country. If you picked just about anyone off of the street and put them in such a leadership role, that person would also likely choose to be corrupt. It is a societal problem, not a government problem.

Same goes for human traficking. If there are hundreds of thousands of slaves, there are millions who are paying for their "services". Millions more who just don't care. Again, a societal problem.

October 11, 2012 at 8:31 am |

Marci

Surgery and three days inpatient at Northwestern cost me $350,000, so I wouldn't be surprised at the $1.9 million estimate was accurate.

October 11, 2012 at 12:28 pm |

Sunandan

Alyssa
Did you go to school?A Billion rupees is approximately 20 million Dollars.

October 12, 2012 at 10:12 am |

@BS

@BS Part of your story is true BS. It is like chicken or egg situation. As I grow up corruption was not so extreme in India. These were also polical leaders with good cause. Now a days to be a politician you must be super rich, from a polical family, film star or a criminal. There is no end to this. Most of the political members these are in some form of litigation. But they still get elected. They buy voters (again poor peoples are abused here), influence community members using religion, caste or creed. If you choose to vote you have choose between bad and worst. So, my point is if the structure of election process is right with proper ground rules, things might change in future. There needs to be checks and balances to the people who participates in election process. Cause these are the people who infulences the community

Well it seems in India women are just a commodity. It is because too many people are living there and they dont know what to do. Poverty and lack of education does not help either. I would be ashamed of living in a country like this.

October 14, 2012 at 6:18 pm |

Mike

One fast way to improve it, get rid of 25 to 50% of the MALE population. It is the MALES that cause most of the problems,

November 1, 2012 at 10:39 am |

rajibala

hi

November 11, 2012 at 2:19 am |

fasmik

Certainly the problem lies in the Hindu culture of India, which has always been gender biased to the core. Even people are treated according to their grades in the society. They hate girls no doubt about it. India has the highest number of female foetal abortion rate in the world. Girl is a severe burden in the common Hindu culture. No wonder they would want to dispose it off.
Hinduism and its core teaching are against all human nature. It does not comply to the basic human aspirations. Please research into it.

It is hard to judge the parents harshly because they too are bound by culture. If the parents were to accept their daughter back they would be ostracised and living in a close knit village means one is dependent on your neighbour for everything on well water to loans. Plus if they have another daughter or son they would not be able to get them married due to their families reputation and this is quite important socially. Its easier for them to just accept that their child is dead and move on for the good of the family. Sometimes some poor families even sell their children hoping so that they may get 3 squares a day which the family cant provide and taking back their daughter would be difficult for them.

October 11, 2012 at 3:29 am |

BS

Change requires courage. Courage means not taking the easy way out. By "accepting" that one's daughter is "dead", the parents are not just condeming her to a miserable existence, but helping ensure the cycle will never end. The parents wind up with not just their daughter's blood on their hands, but the blood of all other victims.

October 11, 2012 at 8:41 am |

AP

its easier said, to sentence parents to death, you dont know what its like to go days on end without food. To see your children cry from hunger and not be able to do anything about it. These are poor people like you have never imagined, we indians have seen. For them to take the higher road and "change" society isnt even an option. They are just looking to feed the mouths and get through the day. You cant change the world on an empty stomach. So if the choice is to let one child suffer for the good of the rest of the family, then thats the equivalent of "Sophie's Choice" – millions make that choice everyday in remote villages in India. The west cannot fathom a life that harsh. Forget the west, some of us indians cant imagine it anymore.We ran away from it all and came to the US for a "better life"

October 11, 2012 at 10:21 pm |

Icare

Totally agree, if punishment is severe (death or cutting of organ) the crimes will drastically drop. The punishment needs to be really harsh then society will surely change behavior.

The only reason misogyny can exist is far too many males (and some women) believe the greatest con job in all history, that males are the superior gender when all evidence shows women are far superior to us males. Or maybe some males do realize that it is we the males who are inferior to the women and they take it out on women due to one of the very few things males are superior at, brute strength. Doubt women are superior to us males? Just look at the way women are leaving males in the dust in just about every area now that they are getting an equal chance. They are showing us that women can do everything males can do and they can do it better.

I will sponsor Vijayalaxmi to come to the States. As a prior victim of assault, I can understand to an extent what she has gone through. Her family will not accept her back. The government does not offer the true support she needs. I can help. Please contact me. I am not a pervert or anything, just nothing worse than imagining her returning to a living death.

Green Eyes, if the commenter who gave you a contact number is for real, please keep everyone posted. I pray that you can get even one little child out of this horrifying life. Thank you CNN for this story!

Green Eyes, please be careful posting such offers publicly. There are a lot of scams out there taking advantage of such sympathy. Some organizations will even kidnap children just to sell them to "soft-hearted foreigners". Your best bet is to contact CNN or another reputable news organization and see if they will help you get in touch with legitimate organizations.

Good intentions often fall victim to temptation and greed. What are we going to do with worldwide Catholic clerical depravity against children?
Alleviate POVERTY and suffering, in all of its forms, will abate, but never end. Be realistic and know human nature.

I thank CNN for bringing up a hidden epidemic of a society which boasts as a IT hub and fights on Telangana.This should be an eyeopener to those who claim to develop state showing them the real danger that exists in thier own society.

The govt must step in a BIG way to provide them with basic eduation and means of livelihood or else they will land up back in the same business. They probably have none to show them a path apart from the ones they are exposed to. So true those many corrupt politicians walk away with so much money which could go a long way in helping these girls. If AP is the fourth richest state, they better stand up for these girls.

It is mind boggling. Only 3000 out of 300,000 young girls have been rescued. Where are the others? if they are rescued than their own parents and the society won't accept them back. That society and its members' religious beliefs are failing here.
How the traffickers get away with this heinous acts ? The govt and Law is certainly failing here.

i cannot fathom how men ... many men ... can abuse these young girls. what pleasure is there in laying with a comatose 12 yr old?!!! i mean, this isn't just a few freaks. evidently this is horrifyingly common. these men have no soul. this abuse is a cancer on the human condition. i am sick to my stomach. i cannot imagine how these children deal with it. and how the monsters get away with it. the sellers and the buyers. WHO are these people?

.......yes, and how can the nation's politicians, Bollywood stars. and IT rich people ignore these horrific conditions of the young girls .... especially when it is happening to hundreds of thousands of them.

While I believe in supporting the non-profits that are helping these girls, how can we as a country pressure India into protecting its own citizens? Their culture's view on the poor and women in general seem to be the real issue here.

totally agree wid u Lizzi,, its a cancer on human race..may all the sufferings of these young girls end soon... i feel lots of pain for them...and my heart is crying on the poor people of afghanistan and tribal areas of pakistan.. who are facing death on daily basis...may every one live happy in ths world...

This issue is very similar to bullying. A few who have the money or strength or willpower force others to do what they want. By nature a lot of people in India are non-confrontational, so they avoid saying anything when some one else was getting harassed. It is the "it is not me" syndrome. Unless people start standing up for what's going on in their neighborhood, in their state and in their country, the bullies (either politicians or men or women or any one that takes advantage of weaker person) continue to take advantage.

October 13, 2012 at 3:36 pm |

mkar

One problem with Indian rural society (mostly) is that they show too much interest in the conduct of others. If someone is found doing something not acceptable to the society, they really talk too much about it. They dont try to be sympathetic to you. But rather try to make you feel bad by talking about it behind you. The parents generally don't have the courage to face it. In the past 20 years I have seen many things changed. But lot of things needs to be changed.

In this case best thing a parent could do is to relocate his home so that he don't have to face these people and take care of his unfortunate daughter. Most of the parents don't have that courage too. Most of the times these parents end up with ending their lives.

Most of these rural people are poor. So they always compare themselves with others to see who is better. That is the reason these people want to talk ill about others so that it makes them feel better.

Things are slightly different in urban areas. I feel pity for these girls. And I would surely try to help this organization which is trying to take care of these poor girls.

Many of these girls were bought from poor villages in Nepal, and they provide the major portion of the market. Yet, the article completely ignored the girls bought/tricked from Nepal and Bangladesh. It's the CORRUPT society & culture in India that is to blamed the most. It has been going on for decades or perhaps a century, and it will go on like this with corrupt society, corrupt politicians and corrupt politicians who are pimping on these innocent girls and making their life hell. Let's talk about DEMAND too.

It's men like u that help fuel this horrfic fire. These are human beings, children! My heart breaks for these young women. Enough about you a waste of keystrokes. I feel the same thoughts as Anonymous. If only I had tons of money to help. Thanks CNN for bringing this story to light. I will pray for these helpless children everyday. We think times are tough in the U.S, it's nothing compared to what these children face everyday.

First of all, you can not tell me that these corrupt governments are not behind these atrocious/deplorable crimes against their own citizens. I will never believe that a special armed task force can not be formed to go into these brothels and rescue these helpless victims. I am personally frustrated and disgusted by this story and many more like them, that I find inflamatory in nature – don't wrench my heart and then have the nerve not to give me information on how I can help. Rehabiliation centers are all well and good, however, you cant rehab someone that you can find!!! Get them out first and immediately. I would like to know how I can support a grass roots organization that is dedicated to going into these hell holes and rescuing these precious victims. As one can see, this really burns me up...all I can say is God is just and He sees all and there is a special place in the bowels of an eternal firey and unquenchable hell for these persons running corrupt governments and heartless/sick perperpetrators.

You are right. Many of the cases police protect these people because they get some money from these people. Politicians are too busy in the development (of their own bank balance) and don't have time for these small people. Money involved in these rockets is not huge to attract politicians to get involved, But some cases they do at lower level. I feel sorry for them. Politicians and police are the two most hated things in India.

India is a VAST ocean of humanity that is only loosely governed. You can live all your life in India and not have a clue that this is happening. The government only acts when the people are outraged and the people can only get outraged when they are informed.

You mean to say these girls lives are miserable NOT because of Islam!? How can that be!? I thought Islam was the root of all problems for women in this world. Now I see that is poverty. What a revelation.

Because Sidney, you need to expand your definition of a God. You see if you take a Physics class, your teacher will tell you there is no such thing as "Hot" or "Cold". There is just Temperature. "Hot" and "Cold" are relative terms. What may seem "Hot" to you may seem "Cold" to someone else.

Similarly, there is no such thing as "Evil" and "Good". There are just events. And then you may ask "Why"? To which the simplest answer is , Because He can. Makes sense? That's just my opinion.

Sidney: In my view, God exists but allows freewill by all. Choices made, both good and bad, will result in karmic responsibility. Anyone, in abusing children, will have their recompense. We of course cannot read karmic records of anyone but karma is not all in the past it is being made now too and this is a serious violation of girls and children. We all must do our part in any way we can to protect the innocent and those in need.I think all in the civilized world would agree. Pray, meditate, chant, or act or do whatever you can do to invoke help and assistance to those in need.

1. God is all powerful and all knowing.
2. God created the universe, and everything in it.
3. Therefore, God created the world the way it is now.
4. There is no free will, not if God created the universe the way it is. Ther is no "free will". There is only "destiny" if you believe that god created all that was, all that is, and all that ever will be.

God does exist!! To God be the glory. Please bless your children Lord! In Jesus name.

October 17, 2012 at 4:29 pm |

LetsThink123

It's because god does not exist. All the gods invented by man (islam, christianity, etc...) are fake. If u read the bible/koran/etc... u will notice that the gods knowledge of the earth n universe was limited to what humans at that time knew about.
No ancient religious texts ever mention their god creating other planets in our solar system/galaxies/other solar systems/nebulae etc... The gods only conveniently created things that people at that time could see with their own two eyes. This should raise a red flag for many people (who can think critically that is). The religious believers r blind believers and for example accept mythical stories like adam and eve like they actually happened.

For people who believe in god, god only exists in your mind (imagination). Thats why he doesnt 'interfere' in world affairs and thats why he doesnt do anything when girls get r4ped, people r murdered, etc... Its a cop-out explanation to why ur god doesnt do anything to stop atrocities, when the real answer is that god does not exist.

Any nation that has more males are not good places to live. Any places that have more women are. This shows the problems are because of MALES so maybe we need to eliminate half the MALE population Better dead males then women or girls

Such acts, worse than that of animals, exist in cultures and countries all over the world. It takes a lot of effort to still take hope in humanity's spirit after reading such reports. The fact is that such conditions have existed at all times in the history of human civilization and the main reason for their existence is people like us who do not have the will to stand in unison and stop it. For us it is just something we read, comment and forget, blaming 'other' religions and 'other' cultures while the same happens at out own back doors.

Shouldn't we believe that what happens to these girls and others like them is an extreme injustice and the onces to blame are not just the perpetrators but also ourselves?

or better yet, kill the males that are causing all of these problems. It would be well worth a million or so dead MALES to make it save for all women and girls Better a dead male then a woman tor girl to be raped.

Mike is is good to see another male who understands that the problems are males. I agree but I would say it would be worth 2 million males to make it safe for women and children.

November 3, 2012 at 5:33 am |

Eric

Mike needs a professional analyst to deal with his male self-hating issues.

December 6, 2012 at 10:19 am |

Avin

People won't even leave a chance to fight here on the basis of country, religion, race.. sad.
@ Greeneyes: I believe you'll do good.. appreciate that
you take care greeneyes.. people like you are very important

My heart aches to read this story. The pain and sufferings of Vijayalakshmi is hard to imagine.
I am sure that many readers would pledge to help those in pain and suffering. How can we
help you in donating the money for this cause to assist these children who are defenseless and
helpless. If the editor Davinder Kumar can publish the information on which organization is truly
fighting on behalf of Vijayalakshmi and others it will be very helpful so that we can send our
donation.

This has to be the most disgusting, cowardly, sickening act of anyone who would do such a thing. I know this goes on in many countries, i.e Thialand and including our own, most likely. May anyone who abuses children burn in hell, and God Bless those who try and help these young people.

yes god does not exist. People who say 'god bless' and other nonsense like that just say it as a phrase i guess. But if they really think that god will 'bless' these girls after FAILING to protect them in the first place, then their god is weak and NOT omnibenevolent.

November 6, 2012 at 11:18 am |

Natalie

Birth control for the population with so many kids they don't know what to do with them but sell them.

This just makes me cry.. My heart goes out to every girl that goes through this! It is unbearable to think about the situations they are in and then that they are unaccepted back into society.. I would definitely definitely appreciate CNN helping us be aware of ways people around the world can get involved. Right now I don't have extra money to donate but is there anything else I can do? And when I am in a position of more money, what are the trusted organizations I should get involved with? Right now I will just continue to pray for them and hope for them, and continue to talk about this......

Very sad story but things like this happen almost in all third-world countries. There seem to be a collusion between criminals and government. You notice government is never serious in punishing culprits. Usually some kind of law is made but it is never implemented or sometimes implemented hap-hazardly, all because the politicians have looted and can afford to send their children to foreign countries for better life. These children find themselves in situation that is not their own making. Am aware culture is very strong in the lives of the people, but mass education is very important here and only enlightened person can adjust with culture. Unfortunately these parents do not seem to know that they are to account for the lives of these unfortunate children. Let the NGOs continue to do their best, definitely there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.

I've met too many folks from India who sneer at Americans because they think Americans are lazy and corrupt. They think Americans deserve to be laid off and their jobs outsourced. The Indians like to say they deserve jobs in the US because they're better than Americans.

I have met a handful of Indians who are grateful to be in the US. They describe the hell and the corruption in India.

In that context, I read this article and just shake my head. Why don't the arro gant folks I described above help out their country ? How does a place like that breed contempt for Americans ?

Not true for everyone.Am the laziest one in my family.But my folks built their lives from scratch right here in India and i could do that as well.

October 11, 2012 at 9:41 pm |

Sunandan

Question.What Indians think is immaterial.What are your thoughts?Does a large part of Americans consist of:
1) People that can not diffentiate between Muslims and Sikhs?
2) People still confused about whether less or more taxes are good for them?
3) Racists (because 70% of people commenting upon your president either call him black or Osama).
Like in every country, India has it's share of idiots.America has too.

@poohBob
I am from India and unfortunately, I have heard what you have stated. In my opinion, the best engineers, programmers, doctors that I have come across are Americans, not Indians. Heck, I will only take a job if the manager is an American. Also, the Indians that come to US are from the top end of the population and they should compare themselves with the top end of the pool of Americans. I think Americans are the coolest people in the world.

I beg to disagree. You seem to be prejudiced towards nationality. Given the same opportunities, every nation has smart people. Americans have the opportunity, but most of them never take the initiative and end up without a college degree living of the GOV. Being cool or smart has nothing to do with nationality. Your thinking is very superfluous. Grow up.

October 14, 2012 at 6:51 pm |

MSB

I am from this place(Hyderabad) and know bit of this business, but havent realized that its gone such graphic untill I read this article on CNN. I like to donate some money for this project. Davinder please let me know how I can do this(please email me).
Also I will propogate this on facebook etc.

I came here looking for something to do a report on for school, and I ended up in tears. I really hope these young women get help. Honestly, I can't imagine what goes through those traffickers' heads. Is it really that hard to get a job doing something else? Really? But seriously, this is terrible and it needs to stop. And good job, Greeneyes. I'm glad somebody is doing what I wish I could.

dear dean,
isn't the world a horrible place. i mean stuff like that happens every day across the world. why are people greedy and enslaving others for their own gain. what makes a person do that. i think that you should tell your friends about things like this and what you should do about it. i am not a hippie but still i hope for world peace. i wish i was still oblivious to these facts but i am not and so i am making a pledge to try my best to stop this and you should to. i am a student like you but probably younger, but i understand, and think you do too

I am from the same state too, I am surprised and shocked to read this article. My heart broke at mid of the article and willing to donate some amount to this organization. It is a shame that the state's GDP is 4th in the country and having these kind of issues. I would like to know details about how to transfer the money to this organization.

Simple as to why it exists......CORRUPTION........I have been to India numerous times since the 1980's and it wont stop until society takes a stand. People need to march like Gandhi did back in the 1930's. Andra Pradesh is not the only place though. Mumbai, Calcutta, Haryana, etc are all places where this goes on. There is an area called Manali where jews wed young girls with the parents consent in the hope that it will uplift them from poverty. I can do better reporting than this garbage. If you really want to make a dent on this awful practice then spotlight the truth. Its in every country but I don;t hear nobody complaining when they go to Thailand, Eastern Europe, Camobodia, Phillipines, Vietnam,Turkey, Israel, Iran UK, South America, Africa, And the USA......do something....the laws in India are too lax. Rapists are usually handed a 7yr sentence which is very light considering what these chidlren and adults go thru. How can you enoforce justice when the very ppl who swore to enforce the law are corrupt. How can we change anything when an India official states to the media how can you arrest 100 million ppl who are involved? now that bothers me, not the number but the lack of effort. Death sentence would eventually stop this ASAP but there is a reason why this is never considered. Simply because a lot of rich ppl, powerful ppl and politicans would end up dead. Wake up folks do something. You can whine on the net, or you can go out and make an impact.

For anyone that is surprized by this you must be living under a rock! India is a total mess with little to none basic things, water, toilets, sanitation, food, and it could go on and on. But wait they have spent billions on nuclear missles and the military! Go figure!

Everyone keeps asking how to help. CNN has a link at the top of the page to find out how to help. I would suggest not going through any of the websites listed here without being absolutely certain they are legit. And I definitely would not call the phone number posted about adopting one of the girls. I can't believe CNN has even left that post up. No way to know if it's legit or a total scam.

I think it is time to switch the disgrace from accepting your child back to allowing them to be taken and used in this manner.The disgrace that should come from the village is when a daughter disappears from a family not if she is recieved back.I believe the Hindu religion reveres the cow because it represents the Female-the Mother-What an odd way for the human Hindu female to be treated by probably Hindu-customers -traffickers or fathers.A Hindu male that would shun beef at his meal-leave the table and debase a human female child-woman is not a Hindu, he is a hypocrite-So sees the world.

As some poeple are talking about indians migrating to usa and other countries it is true for decent life because usa dollars earnings against the rupees is much more . But let me clear their doubts by saying that very soon yu will find americans coming to india and look for the job because even after getting half salary in india will allow them to save something which they at present not able to save anything and still live from hand to mouth. The only protection they have is social security which in India we dont have, once that is done you will find all of americans and other countries foreigners will look for job in India.

"When irreligion is prominent in the family, O Kṛṣṇa, the women of the family become polluted, and from the degradation of womanhood, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, comes unwanted progeny.[B.G 1.40]

Because the parents are rascals (Godless) they give birth to these unwanted children, since the parents are demons they encourage such demonic behavior. All this is talked about in Various Vaisnava literatures. This is just the beginning. Welcome to Kali-yuga.

.It is so disturbing to read this. The estimated numbers of people who were trafficked lis alarming.
Mr.Rammohan NVS and others should be appreciated for running the transit home which belongs to HELP NGO. Although it is a minor effort compared to what is needed,it inspires other people to come forward and do something to help those poor girls.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,abominable, murderers, se/xu/ally immoral, sor/cer/ers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”......

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”........

Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sor/cerers and se.xu.ally immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to te.stify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Amen! Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Only in Christ Jesus there is HOPE!.....There is no other hope for mankind.

There is no hope for mankind because they depend on gods, spirits, devils, angels, etc. to solve problems. All gods are invented by MEN and all religions that depend on a god are fictional and want your money or to control you for political reasons. So sad you believe in Jesus who history shows never to have lived. Churches do more evil than terrorists.

Too bad people are too ignorant to realize all this. Too many "wolves dress in sheep skin" out there. Hell/Heaven only exist in life. Life is beautiful that the good thing is you can commit suicide if you have it rough. All these religious folks dont really "love God" as they claim. They just want him for his "heaven", to be blessed, etc..Bunch of hypocrites. I respect other peoples beliefs,but what bothers me is when they harass other people with their beliefs

It is very difficult to stop this because, politicians will be involved in it. They exercise their power to silence any revolution against this. Only a collective action by all members of the society can stop this. God save our country.

I am from Andhra Pradesh. And i am ashamed to say i am from that State. I feel horrified and sad about the girls who went thru this unimmaginable trauma. Thanks to CNN to get this into light. Our Cheif minister Mr Kiran Reddy should take this seriously and react to these terrible incidents, Instead of focusing on other less important things.

Girls!!! Just bite their nuts off!!! OMG. You have to serve 250 men before you get a meal? Might as well take one of them down and die and reincarnate into a better life! That's 100,000 nutless men in India!

How to help? no one knows for sure where the money really goes – no one can guarantee that the ones who need the money will get it. I would personally house them and give them food and shelter and education....just deliver them to me. How realistic is that? NOT. How can we be personally involved. it's just not simple or easy...

Many here are asking what can be done about this terrible situation in India. Well, this article is at least starting a dialogue. I encourage readers to forward this article to their friends. Indians are a bit backward and tend to follow tradition at all costs, but collectively, the western world can put pressure on them to prosecute the perpetrators much more vigorously and publicly. That is just one aspect, there are many things that must be done to address this injustice.

Very unfortunate . Not mentioned at all in the article is the caste of these girls. Are they untouchables? I have Been to Hyderabad and Mumbai . I have never seen such poverty and filth. Not exactly on point but india is a filthy country. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry. We did deals with Indian companies to Make HIV drugs . They were for the private market (wealthy) not the state healthcare system.

Well written, feeling article.
In fairness, It's a world wide problem. Not just India. Here in the USA, despite what we prefer to believe, (just a small problem), the facts are also shameful. It seems that growth in education, intellect, sophistication, and wealth often go hand in hand, inversely, (how strange) with a decrease in simple compassion. Hence the blind eye turned towards fellow human misery. Solutions? Articles like this one. Projects like the Freedom project. Facebook it. Twitter it. Talk about it. Expose it. Never rest. Every single one of those who are exploited matters. They are unique, and if given the potential to grow and develop, they may bring much good to this dark world. I shudder at our collective guilt and ugliness. In this wired world, do we have an excuse for "not knowing"? For not "being aware"? I don't think so. In some strange way, so many of us seem to be "spiritual and emotional cubicle dwellers". We make our little hutch, and that is where we like to be. We think of it as "the world". It's not, brother, it's not.

“I see the colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
They're really sayin......i love you.

But when I look to the east or west… I see Indian Hindus and their women bashing ways
And in the neighborhood …. doom and depressive days
And I say to myself what a miserable world….
But what a wonderful world it could be if India was sliced, diced and whirled.
And I say to myself indeed that would be a wonderful world… what a wonderful world !”
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/louis+armstrong/what+a+wonderful+world_20085347.html ]

Spare us your rubbish. India is a bully and a trouble maker in that region. It has kept the neighbors behind due constant bickerings. India has always lived in the shadow of Pakistan and has been forever defined by Pakistan. If you have nothing intelligent to say go clean the toilets in walmart

November 1, 2012 at 8:15 pm |

California

I dont waste my intelligence in talking to porki retards. you should probably check out the toilets in walmart your mother is still cleaning them. I just pooped in one of those toilets when she was waiting waiting to clean after me.

November 1, 2012 at 11:35 pm |

California

joke of the century. you seem to be the most knowledge deprived person on earth. India living in the shadow of porkis hahahahah. Get your facts right dude then blabber.

“I see trees of green ….. red roses too
For me and for you ….. I see em bloom
And I think to myself…what a wonderful world

But when I look to the east or west… I see cult like Indian Hindus and ensuing gloom
And in the neighborhood nothing but doom
And I say to myself what a miserable world….
But what a wonderful world it could be if India was sliced, diced and whirled.
And I say to myself indeed that would be a wonderful world… certainly what a wonderful world !”

your comments everywhere states your mental conditions. what's the plight of the commem people in your country has nothing to do with islam and pakistan .the fact is a curse of scheduled caste system is hanging over you since the birth of bharat mata.remove it as soon as possible.you will feel better.mostly the girls are from lower caste hindus treated in the society as result of sin. number two you breed like rabbits and are about to burst. control over it.instead of blaming any religion or a country you should clean your own home first.

November 18, 2014 at 5:40 am |

California

and what are you ?? spammer?? huh thats what all porkis are.. nothing new

Another porki. hahah welcome porki. After you are done eating our poop let us know we will send more.

November 2, 2012 at 1:15 pm |

Loves America

For once in your life will you actually admit to yourself that you are a fat piece of crap lying on the couch all day on the computer and think about all of the crimes that happened in India because Americans accept that they did something wrong so stop sitting on the couch and get a girlfriend. And if you already have a girlfriend or wife go spend some actual time with them before you order more chicken mcnuggets because you actually felt your blood moving and die of diabetes.

“I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

But when I look to the east or west… I see Indian Hindus and a medieval cultural sight
And I think to myself …. what a terrible blight…a terrible blight.
And I say to myself … let us show it the light….let us fight decadent India with all our might.”

With such "Dark Age" culture still in existence in India how can the world be healthy and the neighbors prosperous. India poses a grave danger to the world and its deities and leaders set a bad example. Mahatma Gandhi, a pedophile, needs to be exposed and tried posthumously for his child molestation crimes just like the Penn State crowd Sandusky et al. Gandhi's statutes need to be knocked down everywhere they have been put in USA. The hindu deities need to be shattered and trashed. Disgusting figurines of ugly and scary looking characters with demonic personalities. How can hindu children grow up mentally stable looking at such atrocious representations of evil in its most heinous form.

You prophet too needs to be fed to the pigs all over the world. Look what he taught you – VIOLENCE. Islam is the reason for all crimes. It needs to be removed first and foremost. Only then can the world be peaceful.
Hahaha pakistan can never be prosperous because all the money they beg from US in the name of aid goes in making bombs and giving shelter to Laden.

November 2, 2012 at 1:11 pm |

Fawn

With such "Dark Age" culture still in existence in India how can the world be healthy and the neighbors prosperous. India poses a grave danger to the world and its deities and leaders set a bad example. Mahatma Gandhi, a pedophile, needs to be exposed and tried posthumously for his child molestation crimes just like the Penn State crowd Sandusky et al. Gandhi's statutes need to be knocked down everywhere they have been put in USA. The hindu deities need to be shattered and trashed. Disgusting figurines of ugly and scary looking characters with demonic personalities. How can hindu children grow up mentally stable looking at such atrocious representations of evil in its most heinous form.

November 2, 2012 at 2:53 pm |

Fawn

Can you believe this hindu cr@p ...... They should be Tboned

HINDU GODDESS PANCHALI
This goddess was married to five brothers. Which one would become the legitimate father of his child should she have one? Dr Charles (renowned author and an authority on India) says that instances of incest are common in Hindu scriptures.

November 2, 2012 at 3:00 pm |

california

fawn First of all get your facts correct before you comment. Hindu goddess kali did not ask people to sacrifice young boys and girls to her. The blood dripping from her tongue signifies the blood of evil that prevails in the world. It signifies the end of evil. If People who kill their kids are saying they are making offerings to kali, it means there is something wrong with the people of who kill kids. Godess Kali never asked or expected people to make offerings. "a noose, a skull-topped staff, a blood-encrusted sword and a severed head" is that of the evil person, signifying the end of evil. Fools like you who dont understand the significance should shut their mouths. Talk about terrorism??? we were not the ones who hijacked planes and crashed them in world trade center taking innocent lives of more than 3000 people. We were not the ones who hid Bin Laden in our country. And afterall we were not the ones who shouted slogans like "Death to America" and attacked consulates over a stupid movie. So why dont you do one thing. Before you come and comment on India or Hinduism why dont you take care of issues in your country. People dont get tortured in your country? How did Malala get shot then?

November 2, 2012 at 7:26 pm |

california

Fawn Talking about crimes and killings and if pakistan is so "peace loving" and so "friendly" how did journalist Marvi Sirmed get shot today? and why? just because she stood up for the minorities in your country? Take care of your country first. We are here to take care of our country. We dont need Pakistan to tell us what is lacking or what is not in our country.

November 2, 2012 at 7:33 pm |

Minnesota

We remain extremely appalled and highly concerned about the continued medieval cultural and barbaric social practices prevalent in the name of Hinduism in India. Much to our chagrin, the human rights organizations are either turning a blind eye towards these injustices or are being paid off to look the other way. We are particularly aware of the victims of such practices, namely, young children and women especially those women who are pregnant and are bearing a female embryo. They are being mistreated or simply sacrificed in the name of their deities. To the civilized world such atrocious behavior is repulsive and is condemned in the strongest words. We urge the Indian Hindus to immediately cease and desist from such unacceptable norms. To them we say the world is watching and will see to it that justice prevails.

I heard the state of Minnesota is one of the most impoverished and illiterate states in the USA. How about you educate your fellow Minnesotans first before looking at a country which NONE of you folks will ever understand or comprehend. Hmm ?

We remain extremely appalled and highly concerned about the continued medieval cultural and barbaric social practices prevalent in the name of Hinduism in India. Much to our chagrin, the human rights organizations are either turning a blind eye towards these injustices or are being paid off to look the other way. We are particularly aware of the victims of such practices, namely, young children and women especially those women who are pregnant and are bearing a female embryo. They are being mistreated or simply sacrificed in the name of their deities. To the civilized world such atrocious behavior is repulsive and is condemned in the strongest words. We urge the Indian Hindus to immediately cease and desist from such unacceptable norms. To them we say the world is watching and will see to it that justice prevails.

December 1, 2012 at 12:21 pm |

Fawn

Now listen to this and it will send chills down your spine.... these sick hindu deities preaching violence!!!!!!!!!!!

HINDU KALI – GODDESS OF VIOLENCE/TERRORISM

A recent report by United Press trust of India (UPI) stated that during the past three years more than 2,500 young boys and girls were sacrificed to goddess Kali in India. Another of AFP's recent reports say: hundreds of young boys and virgin girls are sacrificed every month for the deity Kali. In one case Rama Sewak hacked his eight year old son to death in broad daylight in Delhi because goddess Kali had told him he would come back to life and bring him good fortune. Bloodthirsty Kali is worshipped openly the length and breadth of India. Kali's statue stands naked astride the inanimate body of the Hindu deity Shiva, tongue stuck out with blood dripping from fang-like teeth. She holds a noose, a skull-topped staff, a blood-encrusted sword and a severed head. She is also known as Durga, Devi, Shaktima, Uma and Parvathi in other manifestations. The priest of Delhi, Kali Bari, says that a child sacrificed to Kali ensures a man the birth of a son. Human sacrifices are also made to these gods or goddesses, either to appease them or to ask favours of them.

What neighbours are you talking about ? You a fool ? Oh you mean Pakistan and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ? Hahahahah... I feel really sorry for you. If there is any bit of sanity left in South Asia, it's cause of the great republic of India !! Do your research first.

Spare us your rubbish. India is a bully and a trouble maker in that region. It has kept the neighbors behind due constant bickerings. India has always lived in the shadow of Pakistan and has been forever defined by Pakistan. Blaming Pakistan for all the ills in Indian society. Let's face it, India is a decadent culture and economy on the verge of collapse. India has become a dinosaur. A Smithsonian specimen. Like humpty dumpty even USA, NATO and the entire free world are having a tough time holding it together. Living in the shadows of Pakistan, defined by China, haunted by Kashmir and punctuated by Terror Organizations such as Shiv Sena, India is struggling to find a meaning for its existence (besides a call center) and a place in the new world order.

I am not one to mince words. The common denominator to all the bad things happening in the region is INDIA! Yes, folks...INDIA ! Look at all the countries surrounding that are reeling in extremism and poverty and intolerance......Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, and now Myanmar. The mother of all trouble makers ... yes folks, hold on to your chairs !!! is INDIA !!! IT IS NOT COINCIDENCE !! IT IS BY DESIGN !!! India cannot stop meddling in the affairs of these fledgling nations...financing terrorists...inciting communal violence, fanning religious intolerance. This must come to a stop immediately before this starts backfiring towards India itself. Turning it into an inferno that will be uncontrollable. The conditions are ripe for this to happen as India is currently reeling in economic turmoil that is threatening its survival in its current geo-political form.

Such a very sad state of affairs. The Indian government need to put protection agencies into place. We need to start thinking in terms that these are OUR children, not someone else's. NO one would like this to happen to THEIR child, would they? And NO one would like this to happen to them personally if that were them, so people need to WAKE up to the fact that atrocious CRIMES are being comimitted not to someone else, but to US as a whole. Protect these children and give back dignity and respect to those who have had their spirit mutilated by the fiendish acts of the perpetrators.

One more thing, let's cut the crap about blame and just realise that we ALL together need to do something to make this STOP. So first of all stop cutting each other down here, stop the bickering and just do something positive please and use your God-given life to make a difference to some innocent soul somewhere who needs your help in whatever way you can do it. Thank You.

CNN, thank you for bringing this up. I am American living in India. The plight of these young ladies are the least of the concerns for the greedy and corrupt politicians in India. Just a few handfull of NGOs and a countable few politicians does something about this. Indian leadership should be ashamed of this. Once again Thank you for valuing the life of these unfortunate young girls.

In India, millions of girls are strangled, slowly starved or simply tossed in the trash. Moreover, in India, at least 1,370 girls are aborted every day. As a comparison, some 250 Indians die every day in road accidents. Terrorists killed about six people, on an average, every day in 2009. In the last two decades of economic debacle, 10 million girls have died as such in India.
SHAME ON INDIA AND ITS BARBARIC AND MEDIEVAL CULTURE !!!
Indians have killed more human beings (girls particularly) than Al Qaeda and Talibans put together.

Not everyone is like this. There are good people who live in India too. It's not a case of the culture, it's to do with greed and corruption and not enough good people to rally together, join forces and make these horrors stop. I agree that people turn a blind eye, but that's because of fear of the corrupt authorities. I hope that stronger countries can help the innocent people who are being abused in India. I hope that people can put some positive, constructive energy into finding solutions rather than focussing on who to blame.

You can't have a solution until you know what the problem is. I am just tired of reading horror stories about Indian culture. According to Atlantic Group, think tank, break india up and keep maharashtra as the hindu state only. rest divvied up along ethnic lines to alleviate poverty.

November 7, 2012 at 7:07 pm |

kadraah

its really sad whats happening to girls and women at large!!!!!!!!!!!!
India needs to shape up the Government is a disgrace to its own people...SAD REALLY SAD

I just read all this and it sickens me to see this happening in India, BUT it is also happening in Haitie too. CNN is speaking out at a time when people need to come together more and REALIZE how much help is needed and the kind of POWERFUL PEOPLE who need to come together and help them and make it happen! WHERE is our SUPER -HERO's when you need them?

This is something new. This has been going on for centuries. Where have the human and women's rights organisations been? Where have world leaders been. Shame on them. I dont believe this problem can now be solved. India is too big to govern. needs to be broken up into smaller countries.

Freddie – How will breaking up India solve the problem? US and China are much bigger than India are they having governing issues? Iran and Iraq are much smaller than India are they not having governing issues? I don't think solution lies in breaking up the country it is a lot more complex socio-economic problem than breaking up a country. There are multiple facets such as poverty, illeteracy, corruption etc. that need to be addressed. The awareness need to come from within people need to be educated and changed. Lack of education and information is a big thing. I did not know about this till I read it on CNN..

November 8, 2012 at 5:48 pm |

Freddie

Iwilldosomething::: That is eaxctly the problem...PLEASE DON'T COMPARE INDIA WITH USA OR CHINA. India ain't no USA/China. This does not happen in these countries for centuries at this level and to this extent. These ladies need to be respected in India's culture and not treated as commodities. This phenomenon proves that indians have been unable to govern and stop this practice that has been going on for centuries. India is too big to manage.This is a proof of it ....When it suits Indians they say their civilization is thousands of years old when they get caught with hands in cookie jar...well, we were born in 1947. That is BS as far as I am concerned. Morality has no age.

November 9, 2012 at 4:39 pm |

Iwilldosomething

It is really sad to see such a deplorable state of girls in India. What is worse is people bickering here about religion, about India and Pakistan and even GOD. First sensible comment was MR.GreenEYEs thanks for your thoughfulness and generosity. World can surely use more people like you. The problem here is not specific to India all along the world history, every nation faced its own sets of problems. India has been invaded time and time again by west and lot of other nations and in the process, has lost its rich culture and tradition and has been corrupted in various ways which then propagated itself over time. It had its independence from an oppressive regime only in 1947 while US had its independence for more than couple centuries. But the good thing is issues like this are being uncovered so something can be done about them. I just found about this so, I will try to figure out what to do about it. I sponser two under privilaged girls in India who are having a much better life because of it, I donate and volunteer with organizations like ASHA to alleviate illetaracy. I am doing my share.. what are you doing?? At this point if all you can do is pray so be it but don't bicker and promote more negativity. People need positive thoughts and actions and if you can't do that then just don't say anything.

This has been going on for centuries. Mea Culpa does not help. People think they are getting away with things till they are caught and then they plead ignorance. i am appaled at the plight of these ladies.i am appaled at our leaders who turn their faces away from such unacceptable practices.

Tell me about it, they have made our once great look like a third world shanty. Scale that us across the whole of America and that is the problem we face. We should be increasing funding of ICE to do the right thing.

I don't even want to start with how your so called GREAT country treats the Mexicans, the blacks and other minorities. Not to mention the classic situation of women being raped every 5 minutes across most major cities of the USA. The UN needs to investigate the validity of America first.

For a country that is living on American handouts...you seem oblivious or delirious.

December 1, 2012 at 12:17 pm |

fasmik

Most probably the problem lies in the Hindu culture of India which has always been gender biased to the core. They hate girls no doubt about it. India has the highest number of female foetal abortions in the world. Girl is a burden in the common Hindu culture. No wonder they would want to dispose it off.
Hinduism is not a religion but self adopted culture and its core teaching are against all human nature. It does not comply to the basic human aspirations. Please research into it.

LOL. you got it wrong. India exists because Talibans let it exist. Remember how mumbai was captured by them a little while back?

December 1, 2012 at 12:16 pm |

Bill

India is a country where according to the UN over half the population defecates in the open, what do you expect from such people. Would have been better if the English had stayed and civilized them a lot more than they did.

Many Americans forget how women are raped in New York City, Chicago, and LA every 5 minutes. They need to get their house in order before commenting on India. America is FAR from perfect, a flawed democracy at best. So much for that shining beacon mentioned by the late Ronald Reagan.

India is the @rse of South Asia while Hinduism represents the worst of what a medieval cult can offer. Indian culture is a conglomeration of bizarre rituals based on inc*st. Hindu deities are repulsive representation of horrific characters that incite b@stiality and pedophilic practices and violent and extremist acts on humans such as sacrificial rituals. Just imagine a deity that represents a demonic image with blood dripping mouth that makes dracula look like George Clooney ! Just look at another deity that
resembles a reptile, a cobra, a rat, a distorted human face with an elephant's snout and numerous claws as arms/hands that will send a chill down your spine. Worst of all a nation of people who will smile at your face and stab a knife down your back while embracing you in a gesture of goodwill. Folks, India is a nation that is destined for doom which is knocking at their door as we speak.

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